Top Causes of Phoenix Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are very different from other vehicles on the roadways. They are a lot smaller and don’t have much protection surrounding the frame, which means riders are more susceptible to injury when involved in an accident. Also, motorcyclists have a higher chance of losing control of their bike while driving because they accelerate easier than passenger vehicles. Many different factors cause motorcycle crashes to occur, which can lead to fatal accidents and serious injuries. The Insurance Information Institute reported in 2016 there were a total of 5,286 fatal motorcycle accidents. It is important to understand the causes of motorcycle accidents to try and prevent them from happening in the future.

Top Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

Blind Spots: Small vehicles such as motorcycles are more difficult to spot on the roads and they easily hide in the blind spots of other vehicles. Normally you can quickly check over your shoulder to determine if there is a vehicle beside you, but motorcycles are small enough that you could miss them at a glance. If a driver quickly changes lanes without turning all the way around to determine what is around them, they could cause a lane change accident to occur. This is one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents.

Speeding: Motorcycles accelerate much easier than other vehicles. This can be a dangerous feature because if a motorcyclist is speeding, they are at a higher risk of losing control of their bike and causing an accident. This can lead to severe injuries due to a lack of protection. The National Center of Statistics and Analysis reported that 33 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. This shows how dangerous speeding while driving a motorcycle is.

Road Hazards: This includes any debris on the road, potholes, uneven ground, and poor weather conditions. All of these factors are a big deal for motorcyclists because they can cause the bike to flip over or the motorcyclists to swerve into other lanes of traffic resulting in serious accidents. 

Lane Splitting: This is a common cause of motorcycle accidents in Phoenix because when a motorcyclist rides along the shoulder of a road, typically the other drivers are not expecting them to be there. This can also occur from motorcyclists driving between lanes of parked cars or cars slowly moving in traffic. 

Left-hand Turn Accidents: Left-hand turns are very dangerous situations for motorcyclists because they are less visible to the other vehicle turning left. Often a car will hit a motorcycle because they are going straight through an intersection or they are passing another car.

Finding An Arizona Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident, consult with a motorcycle accident attorney to explore your legal options. These situations can be very overwhelming and it is important to have a strong legal team on your side. The experienced team of Phoenix attorneys at ELG wants to ensure you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Our attorneys will utilize special tactics to determine the best settlement offer. We will guide you along the way, answer any of your questions, and keep you involved in every major decision. Contact us today to find out how our motorcycle accident attorneys at ELG can assist you. Call us at either Phoenix or Mesa Arizona law offices at (623) 877-3600.